Benefits Manager

The Benefits Program Manager provides strategic leadership for the design, governance, implementation, and continuous improvement of the company's benefits programs, including health and welfare, retirement, wellness, leave, and fringe benefits. This role oversees vendor relationships, benefits operations governance, compliance, project execution, and process improvement initiatives while partnering closely with HR Operations to ensure effective service delivery and a positive employee experience. Serving as the organization's benefits subject matter expert, the Benefits Program Manager develops data-driven recommendations that support business objectives, regulatory compliance, cost management, employee engagement, and operational excellence. Essential Functions Lead the design, development, and continuous improvement of benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, wellness, leave, and fringe benefit offerings. Evaluate benefits programs for competitiveness, compliance, employee value, and cost-effectiveness using benchmarking data, workforce insights, and industry trends. Recommend program enhancements based on business priorities, workforce demographics, employee feedback, and financial considerations. Provide strategic oversight of benefits administration activities performed by the HR Operations team and external partners, ensuring service quality, compliance, accuracy, and a consistent employee experience. Partner closely with Benefits Operations leadership to ensure teams have the resources, training, documentation, tools, and vendor support necessary to effectively administer benefit programs and support employees. Establish service standards, escalation protocols, operating procedures, and knowledge management practices that support consistent and compliant benefits administration. Monitor operational performance, employee inquiry trends, service levels, and escalation data to identify opportunities for improvement. Serve as the final escalation point for complex benefits issues, plan interpretation questions, vendor service concerns, and sensitive employee situations. Lead benefits-related projects, vendor transitions, system enhancements, annual enrollment initiatives, compliance projects, and operational improvement efforts from planning through execution. Develop and manage project plans, timelines, milestones, stakeholder communications, and risk mitigation strategies to ensure successful execution of benefits initiatives. Partner across HR, Benefits Operations, Payroll, Finance, Legal, IT, and external vendors to drive execution and achieve project objectives. Evaluate end-to-end benefits processes, employee experiences, and operational workflows to identify opportunities for simplification, standardization, automation, scalability, and improved service delivery. Lead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance employee experience, strengthen controls, improve operational efficiency, reduce administrative burden, and support business objectives. Leverage technology, automation, self-service tools, operational metrics, and performance dashboards to monitor effectiveness and drive ongoing process optimization. Lead root cause analysis and corrective action planning to address recurring process issues, service challenges, audit findings, and employee experience concerns. Lead wellness program strategy, vendor partnerships, and communications to promote employee wellbeing and preventive care. Manage 401(k) and other retirement plan operations, including compliance testing, participant education, vendor coordination, and audits. Partner with Finance and Legal to ensure ERISA and IRS compliance for all retirement-related activities. Monitor plan performance and employee engagement and develop initiatives to increase participation and financial wellness. Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, IRS, and Department of Labor requirements. Prepare and submit required filings and support audits, including Form 5500 and other regulatory documentation. Develop, maintain, and continuously improve process documentation, standard operating procedures, controls, and governance practices for benefits administration functions. Serve as the primary relationship owner for brokers, carriers, consultants, third-party administrators, and other benefits vendors. Lead vendor evaluations, renewals, contract negotiations, governance meetings, business reviews, and performance assessments. Hold vendors accountable for service delivery, contractual commitments, performance guarantees, innovation, and business outcomes. Partner with brokers and vendors to identify opportunities for program enhancement, cost management, employee experience improvements, and operational efficiencies. Reconcile and approve monthly invoices, ensuring accurate and timely payment of premiums and fees. Provide strategic leadership and governance for annual enrollment, including plan design decisions, vendor coordination, communication strategy, project oversight, readiness planning, and post-enrollment evaluation. Develop and deliver benefits education through presentations, digital platforms, and other employee communication channels. Partner with Internal Communications and HR Business Partners to communicate key benefits information across the organization. Leverage data and analytics to evaluate program effectiveness, identify trends, and support decision-making. Provide reporting to leadership on benefit costs, utilization, participation, employee engagement, and return on investment. Monitor and track key metrics related to plan participation, employee satisfaction, operational effectiveness, and vendor performance. Serve as the internal lead for benefits-related audits. Manage special projects and annual cycle deliverables, including enrollment activities and nondiscrimination testing. Partner with HR leadership on Total Rewards and workforce strategy initiatives. Perform other duties as assigned. Supervisory Responsibilities This job has no supervisory responsibilities. May lead cross-functional project teams or vendor working groups. Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualifying individuals to perform the essential functions. Education and/or Experience Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required. 5–8 years of progressive experience in benefits administration, with at least 2+ years managing retirement and wellness programs. Experience managing health and welfare, retirement, wellness, and leave programs. Experience leading vendor relationships, broker partnerships, benefit plan renewals, and service delivery governance. Demonstrated ability to balance strategic planning with operational execution. Proven experience leading cross-functional projects, vendor implementations, system enhancements, operational improvement initiatives, or organizational change efforts. Experience identifying and implementing process improvements that enhance employee experience, service delivery, operational efficiency, and compliance. Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously while driving accountability and measurable business results. Strong knowledge of leave administration, including FMLA, ADA, STD, and LTD programs. Deep understanding of benefits compliance requirements, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, IRS, and Department of Labor regulations. Strong project management, analytical, vendor management, and negotiation skills. Proven ability to use data and metrics to inform recommendations, evaluate outcomes, and support decision-making. Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment. Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship management skills, with the ability to translate complex benefits concepts into clear and actionable information. Proven ability to manage confidential information and navigate sensitive employee situations with professionalism and sound judgment. #J-18808-Ljbffr